Gin needed no further explanation. Tangze had already drawn his gun of his own accord, moved around to Gin's other side, and stepped forward.
Gin, who had been about to tell them to flank the area, stopped speaking. He raised a brow in faint satisfaction and said nothing more, making Vodka's eyebrows twitch wildly.
Kumeru really was impeccable when it came to dealing with people. No wonder he had managed to build up his identity so successfully.
...Which only made some of his past human-like behavior seem all the more deliberate.
Tangze could not be bothered to spare Vodka's feelings and merely quickened his pace in silence.
It was not to display workplace savvy. He knew exactly where Conan was.
Even if Gin came himself, he might not spot Conan. Things would likely unfold as before: he would overlook lockers too small for an adult to hide in, allowing Conan to escape. Still, it was better to be safe than sorry.
If he could cover for a teammate, he should.
Hidden beside the lockers, Conan struggled to control his breathing. As the flashlight beam swept past him, his heart still leaped into his throat despite his preparations.
He had indeed called for help, but his helpers could not possibly barge in and save him at a time like this.
Even if he sent a distress signal, they could only work indirectly and create a minor distraction.
Keeping low, Conan took a deep breath, found an open locker on the bottom row, and carefully slipped inside.
The cramped locker was so small that even a seven- or eight-year-old child would have to curl up completely and sit in an awkward position to fit inside.
Conan painstakingly adjusted himself, shrinking as far back as he could against the rear wall. Only then